Shumpert Turns Into Valued Commodity

Dave Telep

05/04/2007

Life is good for Iman Shumpert. The 6-foot-4 wing out of Illinois has done an excellent job of heating up his own stock. How hot is he? Well, the offers are pouring in.

April was good to Iman Shumpert. The 6-foot-4 Oak Park (Ill.) Oak Park & River Forest guard basically exploded with a strong showing at the King James Classic. While he's a bit of a newcomer to the national scene, colleges knew about him in advance.

"Pretty soon I'll put out a Top 8, maybe Top 10," Shumpert said last weekend. "I was waiting to see what offers I could get but with the offers I have now I don't think I can get any higher; maybe North Carolina."

Well, the Heels did call. So did Boston College and now Shumpert is re-assessing his status a little bit. "I'm not putting out a list," he said Friday afternoon.

Just to let you know how important a recruit he is becoming in the Class of 2008, the combo guard estimated between 15 and 20 colleges sent coaches to see him the final day of last week's open period.

Last Friday night, against the high-powered Georgia Stars, Shumpert let everyone know just who he is and how good he can be as he hit up the Stars for 23 points. "I like it better when people don't know who I am. I don't want to know (going in) but I want them know when they leave the floor."

Shumpert indicated last week at the King James that he may visit Clemson and Tennessee in the coming month should schedules permit.

One of the very unique aspects of Shumpert's game is the fact that he's a bonafide combo guard and those guys are tough to come by. Especially when they have the feel and hoop knowledge Shumpert possesses.

"(Colleges) see me as a combo. I think a lot of schools noticed since the King James Classic that I'm better at the point than the two. I like controlling the ball a lot more.

"I'm used to playing the point and I've grown up playing point. For every college that recruits me I'd like to play a little bit of point guard."

Shumpert will participate in the Bill Hensley Memorial Run 'n Slam this weekend. Scout.com will provide extensive coverage.